Ocean City Flooding Committee Praise Strides In Flood Prevention

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City Flooding Committee’s year end progress report commended Ocean City officials for implementing a flood mitigation plan that will help its residents in the long-term.

The flood mitigation projects proposed earlier this month, which include new drainage systems, berms, pump stations and road construction, are scheduled over the next five years.

This plan is the first island-wide project that addressed the long-term impacts of flooding, according to Suzanne Hornick, founder of the Ocean City, NJ Flooding Committee, a chapter of Higher Ground.

“This is the first time the city has sat us down and said, ‘We hear you and we fixed the worst of the worst and now we’re gonna fix the second worst and look more long-term,” Hornick told Patch on Thursday.

Hornick collaborated with Mayor Jay Gillian, City Business Administrator George Savastano and President of Fairness In Taxes Dave Breeden, to review and finalize the plan. Hornick offered input as a recognized leader of the Ocean City, NJ Flooding Committee, who represents its 4,700 members, and as a resident who has seen the severe impact of flooding in her neighborhood.

“That tells me that it’s not about (the mayor) or his office. It’s about the people and the island, and he’s hearing what we’re saying,” Hornick said. “It’s a much bigger deal when you look at it on the more personal level in a very small town.”

Hornick also commended Mayor Gillian for taking a more active role in informing residents about recent city-wide flooding issues.

Ahead of the nor’easter that hit Ocean City last week, the Office of Emergency Management sent audio alerts to residents about the possibility of flooding and how to prepare for the storm, which had not happened in recent years, according to Hornick.

The Ocean City, NJ Flooding Committee also formed subcommittees in 2020 to review the flooding impacts of infrastructure plans proposed to the planning and zoning boards.

This year, the subcommittee successfully changed an ordinance so residents can add grass block pavers to their property, which allow more stormwater to drain through the ground than concrete driveways.

Hornick said the committee looks forward to having a positive working relationship with the city leading into 2021 and monitoring the city’s progress as projects unfold.

“We watch everything that the city is doing in terms of flooding and if they’re not doing what they promised, we’re on top of that, or if we see an area that needs to be addressed, we’re on top of that,” Hornick said.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Ocean City Patch on Facebook.

Have a news tip? Email kimberlee.bongard@patch.com.